In retail and hospitality settings when fire alarm systems have zones linked to other inputs, such as the shopping centre main fire alarm (usually referred to as Landlord link) and the sprinkler system, these are noted on the fire alarm zone plan. But what do they mean, and what action should be taken when one of these linked zones is activated?
SOLUTION
With bespoke images for linked zones dynamicZM makes all fire alarm activations easy to understand.
Example – landlord fire alarm system has been activated
The mandatory weekly fire alarm test can cause confusion for customers or visitors. Staff are usually familiar with the procedure, date and time of the weekly test but visitors or customers need to be informed to avoid any confusion.
SOLUTION
Utilising the full media online dashboard with dynamicZM, the media can be set to automatically display a warning to customers and visitors that the fire alarm system will activate shortly and that this is just a test and no need for any concern or action.
For example, if the fire alarm is tested on a Tuesday, at 10:00 am, using the comprehensive media scheduling tools the following image could be automatically displayed between 9:45am and 10:00 am every Tuesday.
In educational settings when fire alarm systems have zones linked to other inputs, such as a lockdown alarm, these are noted on the fire alarm zone plan. But what do they mean, and what action should be taken when this is activated?
SOLUTION
With bespoke images for linked zones dynamicZM makes all fire alarm activations easy to understand.
For example, when a zone on the fire alarm is used for lockdown, it may activate intermittent or pulsing sounders, or different coloured flashing beacons so that staff can quickly invoke their lockdown safety procedures. But any visitors, particularly parents, may be confused to find the alarms sounding and access restricted with no sign of an evacuation.
When dynamicZM is used in the main entrance, the lockdown zone can be programmed to display an image such as this:
Overall safety is paramount in industrial applications, and additional plant alarms are often integrated into the fire alarm system. A quick and effective response is key, so unambiguous messaging on any alarm activation is essential.
SOLUTION
dynamicZM boasts a comprehensive user managed media dashboard which can be used for critical site safety notices, with scheduling features to automate messaging based on the precise time of the day. With specific images for linked zones too, dynamicZM makes all alarm activations from the fire alarm system easy to understand.
For example, when a zone on the fire alarm is used for a gas alarm a bespoke image can be applied to dynamicZM to communicate the required response in that particular building or area of the site.
In high dependency buildings where evacuation can be more complex, identifying the source of alarm quickly is paramount. Often, individual fire zones are allocated to each bedroom or ward but even with the correctly printed fire alarm zone plan on display, locating the small zone of alarm can be difficult when the plan is showing all zones present on the system.
SOLUTION
dynamicZM only identifies the zone(s) in alarm, leaving the remaining parts of the building clear for quick and effective identification of the area in alarm. In these high dependency premises, the fire alarm activation from a specific bedroom can be seen clearly allowing for the most rapid response from both staff and the emergency services on arrival.
In this example, a single bedroom has been highlighted as the zone in alarm with the rest of the building clear to easily identify the quickest route to the bedroom.
In high rise buildings, the information available to the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) on arrival is crucial. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 made it a legal requirement from 23 January 2023 for responsible persons of high-rise residential buildings in England to draw up and share electronically up-to-date floor plans identifying the location of key fire-fighting equipment with their local fire and rescue services.
SOLUTION
dynamicZM can be configured using the information commonly seen on an externally fixed Premises Information Plate.
On arrival to a fire alarm activation, dynamicZM will display the premises information to the FRS, showing the layout of the ground floor and upper floors while also showing the floor(s) in alarm with a clear red colour. Additionally, the floor of origin will be flashing while additional floors in alarm remain a solid red colour, directing the FRS to the cause of the alarm and indicating potential fire spread.
At all other times, dynamicZM can be utilised by the building managers to display useful information and notices to residents.:
